Inhaler



F. c; DORMENT.

INHALER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1919.

1,369,91 6. Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

FRANK C. DORMENT, 0F CLEVELAND, O HIO.

INHALER.

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented Ma l. 1, 1921.

Application filed January 2, 1919. Serial No. 269,302.

This invention relates to a device known as an inhaler, employed in the medicinal treatment of the human respiratory organs.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the character in which when air is aspirated by the user through the .device it will cause and insure that the air is completely saturated with the medicament used.

Inasmuch as inhalers of this type are usually carried about by the person using the same, it'is an additlonal object of this invention to provide a device which is nonleakable no matter in what position it is placed or carried.

As a corollary of the foregoing object, and desirable whether the device be carried by the user or not, the present device when closed is substantiall air tight so that the medicament contained therein is not exposed to the air when the device is not in use, thereby preventing deterioration of the medicament.

A further object is to provide a structure in which the part applicable to the nostril or mouth of the user forms a sealing cap for the air passage-ways within the inhaler. An additional object is to provide an inhaler of such simple construction that it may be manufactured at low cost.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the inhaler; and Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the head portion of the medicament container.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a container adapted to receive and contain within its walls a body of a medicament as indicated at 2. The upper portion of the container as shown, is provided with a head portion 3, this head portion upon the outer walls thereof being provided with threads which are adapted to coiiperate with threads carried upon the inner surface of a depending flange or skirt 4 of a cap 5.

Within the container 1 there is a tubular member 6 which is secured in the head 3.

than the tube 6 for a This tubular member 6 extends very nearly in the head 3, this opening having its out-' let upon the side ofthe head, as will be clearly seen from the drawing;

Within the container 1 there is a second tube indicated at 8. This tube is shorter purpose which will be later described. The tubular member 8 cooperates with a duct or passage-way 9, which is formed in the head 3, the outlet of the passage-Way 9 being at the top of the head 3.

The cap 5 is provided with a central passage-way 10 which extends entirely through the cap. The outer contour of the cap 5 is such as to make its application to the nostril or mouth of the user convenient.

The opening 10 through the cap 5 is substantially at the center of the cap and this I opening is out of alinement with the duct 9 formed in the head 3. When the cap 5 is screwed down upon the head 3, the outlet of the duct 7 is closed by the flange 4L of the cap, and the duct 9 is closed by the engagement between the cap 5 and the top of the head 3.

When the cap 5 is screwed down upon the container 1 the container can be moved in any position, and inasmuch as the ducts 9 and 7 are sealed by the cap 5, no portion of the medicament can escape. But further than this, no considerable portion of the medicament is presented to-the open ends of the tubes when the inhaler is inverted. It will be apparent that if the inhaler be inverted the large portion of the medicament tends to flow to the opposite end of the container than that in which it is shown in the drawing, and in so flowing it surrounds the tube 8, but very little, if any, will enter the tube. The small portion of the medicament which is contained within the tube 6 may tend to flow down the tube 6 when the inhaler is inverted, but, inasmuch as the duct 7 is sealed by the flange 4 of the cap, the air which is contained within the tube 6 will tend tooppose the flow of medicament through the tube 6. The sealing of the ducts 7 and 9 not only has the advantage of making the device non-leakable, but it also serves to prevent the circulation of air within the interior of the container, thus preventing deterioration of the medicament when the inhaler is not in use. 1 R

The cap 5 being adjustable, may be positioned so as to uncover more or less of the opening of the duct 7 This adjustment will restrictthe quantity of air which may be aspirated through the device, which is.

-tainer 1.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a container, a conduit having an outlet at one side and adjacent an end of the container, said conduit extending to near the opposite end of the container, a second shorter conduit within the, container, said second conduit having an. outlet at the end of the container which is the same end to which the first mentioned outlet is adjacent, and a cap cooperating with the head portion of the, container, sai cap forming a sealing closure for both of said'outlets, said cap having an opening extending therethrough. I

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a container having a head portion, a conduit within the container, said conduit comprising a duct formed in the said head portion, which duct has an outlet at the side of the head portion, and a tube connecting with said duct and extending to near the opposite end of the container, a second conduit within the container, said second conduit comprising a duct formed in the said head, said duct having an outlet at the top of the head, and a second tube within the container which 00- .operates with the said second duct, said second tube being shorter than the first tube, and a cap member having an opening extending therethrough, said cap member forming a sealing closure for the ducts formed in the said head portion.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of, a container having a head portion which is of less diameter than the diameter of the container, said head portion having a-duct formed therein, the duct having an outlet at the side of the head portion, a tubular member cooperating with said duct, the said tubular member extending to near the opposite end of the container, a second duct formed in the head portion, which duct has an outlet upon the top of the head, a second tube within the container which cooperates with the second duct, said second tube being shorter than the first tube, a cap having a depending flange, the flange having a threaded engagement with the head portion, said cap when screwed completely upon the head portion serving to seal the ends of the ducts formed in the head, said cap being formed with an opening extending therethrough,- which opening is out of alinement with the ducts formed in the head.

In testimony whereof, I- hereunto aflix my signature.

FRANK C. DORMENT. 

